Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

slaps notation

1 reply [Last post]
Mon, 06/06/2011 - 11:32
Dario
Dario's picture
Offline
Joined: 03/06/2011

An informed student is a better student, and this site -good for us- is all about it

Beeing everithing scientific and carefully thought in your method your omission of the slaps notation must have clear didactic reason.

I figured out you did so to make us student work on our listening and ear training.

But there must be more about it, on the one hand I can immagine other ways to devolpe ear training, on the other for beginners would make the whole difference to be able to imitate faithfully a Pro right from the beginning in order to eventually devolpe them own "feeling" for the ornamentation-color (while by istance I do miss none of the pulls which are notated, is not so for the slaps which often are very very soft and hard to "discover")

Speaking about me, knowing which abilityes we are supposed to devolpe becouse of that notation omission will make more meaningfull and sofor more focused the training

Top
Mon, 06/06/2011 - 11:40
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

There are 100 degrees (1% to 100%) of how much of a slap can be used (in other words how much of a chord precedes the single note)... impossible to notate. Rule of thumb... if YOU can hear a slap, use a slap... if YOU think a slap sounds good, use a slap.

Top

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com